Is immunotherapy for asthma worthwhile?

Article Abstract:

Asthmatics may benefit more from inhaled glucocorticoids than from allergen immunotherapy. A 1996 study showed immunotherapy with ragweed pollen injections became ineffective over time, despite substantial cost. Side effects, occurring in up to one third of all cases, may have serious consequences in unstable asthma. Since most asthma patients have multiple allergies, focusing on a single seasonal allergen may not reduce the reactions to other allergy stimuli. Inhaled glucocorticoids remain the more viable treatment recommendation for asthma, unless future research combines pure allergen therapy with inhaled glucocorticoids. Intravenous monoclonal antibodies against IgE may prevent allergy reactions in novel ways.

Health aspects, Editorial, Evaluation, Asthma, Antiasthmatic agents, Immunotherapy

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Article Abstract:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by increasing difficulty breathing. It refers to both chronic obstructive bronchitis and emphysema and most COPD patients have both conditions. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the US and the primary causes are smoking, exposure to particulate air pollution, and exposure to specific occupational chemicals. Smoking cessation is the only treatment that will slow the progression of the disease. Beyond that, bronchodilators, antibiotics, oxygen, and corticosteroids are most often used. Because COPD has an inflammatory component, anti-inflammatory drugs may be useful.

Lung diseases, Obstructive, Chronic obstructive lung disease

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Nuclear factor-kappaB - a pivotal transcription factor in chronic inflammatory diseases

Article Abstract:

New drugs are needed to inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). NF-kappaB is a protein that regulates the expression of genes involved in the inflammatory response. It normally occurs in the cytoplasm and only enters the nucleus when an inhibitory protein attached to it is degraded. Many things can activate NF-kappaB, including viruses and antioxidants. It plays a very important role in the immune response, but chronic activation can cause chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and psoriasis.

Physiological aspects, Inflammation, Inflammation mediators, Genetic regulation, Immune response, Immune response regulation

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